Subject: Social Studies

Technology:

• Microsoft Excel
• Databases
  • EBSCOHost
  • World Book Web

Curriculum standard(s):

Social Studies Standards (Grade 8)

History
The First Global Age
2. Describe the political, religious and economic aspects of North American colonization including:
c. Interactions between American Indians and European settlers, including the agricultural and cultural exchanges,
alliances and conflicts

People in Societies
Interaction
3. Analyze how contact between white settlers and American Indians resulted in treaties, land acquisition and Indian removal.

Description:

• Students research events related to the Native American population in the United States from before the time of the first settlers through current day. Using this information, individually or in small groups, students create timelines of significant events using Microsoft Excel. Once they have created the timelines, groups post them around the room and share in presentation form important information they have learned.

Supporting Research:

• "Current U.S. national standards in history recommend that all students at all grade levels learn to evaluate, interpret, and compare textual information, as well as construct their own interpretations of material provided in class."
• Britt, M.A. and C. Aglinskas. (2002). "Improving Students' Ability to Identify and Use Source Information" Cognition and Instruction.20 (4). Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/stable/3233902.

Tried & True or New & Innovative:

• Although students will be using Microsoft Excel in a way they probably haven't before, the technology is still Tried and True. Students are relatively comfortable with Microsoft applications as well as the databases. Students are able to use these technologies without large amounts of instruction on them. However, the new application of Microsoft Excel will likely enlighten students to the various capabilities that these standard programs offer (and might encourage them to find other uses for Microsoft applications).